Absolute truth, as embodied in Christ, is a divine, eternal reality, not a subjective construct. Jesus declares in John 18:37 that He bears witness to the truth, and in John 8:31-32, He teaches that knowing His truth brings freedom, opposing postmodern ideas of personal truth that lead to sin's enslavement. God's Word, described as truth in Psalm 119:151-152, remains a steadfast foundation against societal deception and lawlessness, as warned in Isaiah 59:14-15. II Thessalonians 2:3-12 highlights a coming unrighteous deception, where rejecting the love of truth results in delusion. Absolute truth, rooted in God, counters worldly lies, guiding believers through spiritual blindness and confusion toward clarity and salvation.

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A Rewired Society (Part Two): A Post-Truth World

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In a world increasingly slouching toward a post-Christian, post-truth society, the concept of absolute truth stands as a critical foundation. Postmodern ideology, which denies the existence of absolute truth, assumes that truth is merely a personal construct, subjective to individual feelings and desires. This rejection of an overarching reality, rooted in the evolutionary, God-denying perspective, posits that there are no universal laws or standards, only personal interpretations of right and wrong. Jesus Christ, however, presents a starkly different view. In John 18:37, He declares that He came into the world to bear witness to the truth, affirming that everyone who is of the truth hears His voice. When Pilate cynically asks, "What is truth?" he reveals his spiritual ignorance, unable to recognize the absolute truth standing before him in the person of Christ. Truth, as Jesus embodies it, is not a philosophical debate but a divine reality, synonymous with what is genuine, actual, and eternal. Further, in John 8:31-32, Jesus teaches that abiding in His word leads to knowing the truth, and this truth brings true freedom. This stands in direct opposition to the postmodern notion of personal truth, which suggests that freedom comes from crafting one's own reality. Jesus counters this deception by warning that personal truth, derived from human nature and influenced by satan, leads to enslavement to sin. True freedom is found only in the truth of God's Word, which aligns with divine reality and eternal value. The Greek term for truth, aletheia, reinforces this understanding, meaning non-concealment, the real state of affairs, and genuine reality as opposed to mere appearance. It points to what is divine and eternal, ultimately embodied in Christ Himself. Thus, absolute truth is not subjective but is rooted in what is of God, always right, good, and reliable. In contrast, the world today often rejects this absolute truth, embracing a subjective view that leads to lawlessness. As described in Isaiah 59:14-15, when truth fails and is fallen in the street, justice and righteousness stand far off, resulting in a society steeped in iniquity and darkness. Yet, God's Word remains the eternal foundation for those who seek to navigate this chaos. As Psalm 119:151-152 affirms, God's commandments are truth, founded forever, providing a reliable guide amidst a world of deception. For God's people, the call is clear: remain committed to the revealed truth of His Word. Despite mounting deceptions and troubles, diligent endurance in observing and preserving this truth keeps one's feet on the path to the Kingdom of God. Absolute truth, as embodied in Christ and His teachings, is the only sure foundation in a world that seeks to redefine reality according to personal whims.

The Eyes of the Blind Shall Be Opened

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The pursuit of truth, absolute and unclouded, is central to spiritual clarity and understanding. Many individuals, like the blind man in Mark 8:22-25, experience a partial vision of truth, seeing men as trees walking, caught in a fog of uncertainty. This lack of clarity breeds anxiety, confusion, and wavering faith, leaving them neither fully blind nor fully seeing. They recognize the emptiness of a life apart from God's way, yet struggle to grasp the absolute truth of Christ's role as Savior and the necessity of His sacrifice, often due to an incomplete understanding of their own sinfulness. This spiritual blindness stems from a refusal to seek truth with a focused mind, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:28-29, where disobedience leads to madness, blindness, and confusion of heart. Isaiah 29:9-13 further illustrates how disobedience closes eyes and hearts to God's vision, rendering His Word inaccessible. Similarly, Romans 1:21 describes hearts darkened by ingratitude and futility, while Isaiah 6:9-10 warns of dulled hearts and shut eyes that prevent true perception. This condition is not merely ignorance but a willful resistance to absolute truth, often driven by guilt or societal influence over divine authority. Opposition to clear-cut definitions and absolutes exacerbates this lack of clarity. Some prefer a vague, undefined religion, avoiding the discomfort of biblical truths that demand decision and action, as noted in Romans 11:7-10, where the blinded fail to obtain what the elect have grasped. Additionally, a rejection of the Scriptures' authority, blending personal ideas with God's Word as cautioned in Romans 1:22-23, distorts truth. A lack of interest in doctrine—those foundational, authoritative principles of belief—further hinders clarity, as II Peter 1:16-21 affirms the trustworthiness of Scripture as God's inspired message, not human fable. Christ's deliberate method in healing the blind man in stages mirrors the gradual revelation of truth in a believer's life. He calls His people out of vagueness and half-truths, urging a clarity of mind, commitment of heart, and obedience of will. As in I Corinthians 13:12, we now see dimly, but through humble submission to God's Word and the Holy Spirit's guidance, we move toward clear vision. Christ never leaves His work incomplete; He responds to the honest plea, "Lord, I see, but not clearly yet," transforming confusion into peace and partial sight into absolute understanding of His truth.

A Rewired Society (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The following is a concise rewrite of the sections from the provided material that focus on 'Truth, Absolute' in relation to the broader context, maintaining the original tone and adhering to the specified guidelines. Society is undergoing a profound shift, influenced by modern technology and ideologies that undermine the concept of absolute truth. The rise of postmodernism and its associated ideologies seeks to erode fixed standards, promoting a world where truth is seen as subjective. This ideological assault, combined with the rewiring of thought processes through social media and technology, impairs the ability to think rationally, paving the way for a post-truth, lawless society. In II Thessalonians 2:3-12, Paul warns of a coming deception orchestrated by satan, through the lawless one, who will rise with all power, signs, and lying wonders. This deception, described as adikias apate—unrighteous deception—will be so profound that it seduces those who reject the love of the truth. The truth leads to salvation, while the lie leads to condemnation and destruction. God will send strong delusion to those who refuse the truth, allowing them to believe the lie as part of His purpose to ultimately re-establish His law and truth through the return of His Son. The current generation, shaped by smartphone-based childhoods and overprotective parenting, is particularly vulnerable to this deception. Their perception of reality is warped, valuing online content over real-life experiences, making them manipulable and easily swayed toward lawlessness. They lack the critical thinking skills to discern truth from lies, readily accepting curated narratives from social media. This susceptibility aligns with the end-time deception Paul describes, where even the elect could be at risk if not grounded in the love of the truth and a close relationship with God. The question of truth, as posed by Pontius Pilate, remains central. In a world increasingly inclined to believe lies over truth, the challenge is to understand why absolute standards are rejected in favor of personal constructs, driven by the pervasive influence of unrighteous deception.